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VANCOUVER -- Kara Langs triumphant return to the pitch is still a work in progress. Nine months after the former Canadian soccer star launched a remarkable comeback effort from a seemingly career-ending knee injury, the 27-year-old has been named to Canadas roster for Sundays friendly against Mexico in Vancouver. But head coach John Herdman said on a conference call Wednesday that Lang still has work to do on her rehabilitation and isnt ready to play yet. "Karas part of a long-term process," Herdman said. "Weve been working fantastically with B2ten (a fundraising organization for Canadian athletes) on a rebuilding process with Kara -- literally rebuilding her functional movements from scratch. "Part of the process is getting her immersed with this team. ... A big part of her being on this roster is that shes going to get an experience in BC Place, which will be the stadium that hosts the final of the Womens World Cup." Herdman said the team is targeting a return to action for Lang in the first quarter of 2014. He said Lang isnt participating in any scrimmages in training at this point. "Look, the reality is we could put her in, but the big challenge for Kara is shes been brought back too quickly too soon in the past which has led to this consistent breakdown," Herdman said. "If you think about rebuilding a car, weve literally, through B2ten, rebuilt certain parts of Kara to help her become more efficient as an athlete so she doesnt keep breaking down with the same issues." The fact that Lang is on the roster at is huge for a player whos career was essentially over. The Mexico match comes nearly three years after two torn ACLs forced Lang to walk away from the game, tearfully announcing her retirement at a news conference in her hometown of Oakville. Veteran striker Josee Belanger is also returning to the national team after more than two years away with an ankle injury, but Herdman said she suffered a setback in training is not yet fit for game duty. "Josee came in, had a fantastic start to our training, beat three players, scored a goal and went off injured," Herdman said. "That was her first return back to Canada Soccers training environment. "Josee is going to be out for a period of time now. Its more precautionary, just to help rebuild a player that hasnt been playing at this level for at least two years." Both Belanger, a Sherbrooke, Que., native, and Lang were key players Canadas 2010 CONCACAF victory before being sidelined by injuries. Lang is Canadas second all-time active goal scorer, with 34 goals. She played in two womens World Cups, in 2003 and 2007, as well as the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Eighteen of the players 23 players named to the roster were part of Canadas 3-0 victory over South Korea in Edmonton last month, including Sura Yekka, a 16-year-old defender from Mississauga, Ont., who earned her first senior team call-up for that game. Rachel Melhado, a 20-year-old defender who plays for University of Louisville, will take part in her second senior camp. Her previous games for Canada include a 1-0 loss to Germany last June. Shes also played for Canadas under-18 and U20 squads. The game marks Canadas first in Vancouver and the first versus Mexico since a 3-1 Canadian win at the CONCACAF qualifying tournament in January of 2012 that secured Canadas spot in the London Olympics. "Theres a healthy rivalry with Mexico and I know they will be ready for this game," Herdman said. "Well be diligent with our work as well as keep focused on our goals leading into 2015. Note: The Canadian Soccer Association said that 17,000 tickets have been sold so far for Sundays game. --- Roster: Goalkeepers: Stephanie Labbe (KIF Orebro DFF, Sweden); Karina LeBlanc (Portland Thorns FC, U.S.); Erin McLeod (Chicago Red Stars, U.S.). Defenders: Robyn Gayle (Washington Spirit, U.S.); Rachel Melhado, (University of Louisville, U.S.) ; Carmelina Moscato (Seattle Reign FC, U.S.); Marie-Eve Nault (Orebro); Lauren Sesselmann (Kansas City, U.S); Kylla Sjoman (Glasgow Celtic FC, Scotland); Rhian Wilkinson (Boston Breakers, U.S.); Sura Yekka (Brams United, Canada); Emily Zurrer (Seattle). Midfielders: Selenia Iacchelli (Edmonton Victoria SC); Kaylyn Kyle (Boston); Diana Matheson(Washington) Sophie Schmidt (Sky Blue FC, U.S.); Desiree Scott (Kansas City) Brittany Baxter (unattached). Midfielder/Forward: Kara Lang (unattached). Forwards: Josee Belanger (Amiral de Quebec); Melissa Busque (Seattle University, U.S.); Adriana Leon (Chicago Red Stars, U.S.); Christine Sinclair (Portland). Cheap Chuck Klein Jersey . "Right now were kind of looking at him at the end of the rotation right now," said pitching coach Pete Walker. "Not indicative of how hes doing or how hes feeling. Its just, it seems like the spot we want him right now. Cheap Phillies Jerseys . -- Manager Bob Melvin shuffled the Athletics batting order and got the type of production he was looking for from the top of the lineup. http://www.cheapphilliesjerseys.com/?tag...-bunning-jersey. He will be practicing with the Norfolk Admirals (AHL) on a conditioning assignment. - @AnaheimDucks Corey Perry has a knee sprain and will miss the next three to four weeks. Cheap Steve Carlton Jersey . The Calgary skip fell 10-8 to Swedens Oskar Eriksson in semifinal action Saturday and will face Switzerlands Peter de Cruz for the bronze medal (Saturday at 10pm et/7pm pt on TSN2). Cheap Mitch Williams Jersey . -- Without Carey Price, the run for a first Stanley Cup in 21 years got steeper and longer for the Montreal Canadiens.ATLANTA - Gerrit Cole was so focused on recording 17 consecutive outs, he didnt glance at the out-of-town scoreboard.Cole insisted he didnt know his win over Atlanta had clinched a playoff spot for Pittsburgh until he walked into the clubhouse and saw the lockers covered in plastic.The surging Pirates earned their second straight trip to the post-season with a 3-2 victory over the free-falling Braves on Tuesday night.Cole gave up two runs in the first two innings and then didnt allow another baserunner.The Pirates win combined with Milwaukees loss to Cincinnati assured Pittsburgh of no worse than an NL wild card.I didnt have any idea until I came in here, Cole said.Pittsburgh also moved within 1 1/2 games of NL Central leader St. Louis, which lost to the Chicago Cubs in 10 innings.The Pirates wrapped up their post-season berth exactly one year after clinching a place in the 2013 playoffs to end a 21-year drought.I think it establishes our presence in this league that were not going to go away, Cole said.The Pirates reacted to the final out on Tuesday with little emotion. Players exchanged high-fives in a line on the field before sharing hugs in front of their dugout. The emotions flowed with champagne and beer in the clubhouse.Andrew McCutchen, last years NL MVP and a contender again this season, wore big ski goggles as he held a bottle of champagne in one hand and lit a big victory cigar.McCutchen, who had two hits and scored the go-ahead run in the sixth, already had his focus on bigger goals.To celebrate is fun, but weve still got to take care of business, he said.Starling Marte gave Pittsburgh the lead with a sixth-inning double that drove in McCutchen.The Pirates have won 11 of 13.We didnt panic, McCutchen said. Thats whats good about this team.Cole (11-5) trailed 2-0 after two innings but didnt allow another runner through seven innings. That allowed the Pirates to rally against Alex Wood (11-11).Travis Sniders 12th homer tied the game in the fifth.Cole allowed two runs and four hits with eight strikeouts.Jared Hughes pitched a scoreless eighth. Left-hander Tony Watson gave up a one-out single to Phil Gosselin in the ninth, but he got Freddie Freeman to hit into a game-ending double play to earn his second save.The Braves, who firedd general manager Frank Wren on Monday, are 4-16 in September.dddddddddddd Atlanta (76-81) has lost five straight to fall five games under .500 for the first time since May 9, 2010.Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said he admired the Pirates determined approach at the plate.These guys, they stick their nose in there offensively and they dont give at-bats away. They put the ball in play and they get some results, Gonzalez said.Atlanta loaded the bases with no outs in the second but managed only one run when Andrelton Simmons grounded into a double play. Jason Heyward, who led off the inning with a walk, scored from third.The double play was the key to Coles turnaround.There was something missing in the first couple of innings, Cole said. Luckily, they made some good plays behind me. The double play was huge. We knew we were going to come back and score a few.It was about outs, and we turned a great double play. Then we just got in a rhythm and just kept going.DROUGHT-BREAKER:The Braves scored a first-inning run for the first time since Aug. 27. Freemans double to the right-field wall drove in Gosselin. Freeman was thrown out trying to advance to third base.The run ended a streak of 23 scoreless innings by Pirates starting pitchers.THE CATCH:Simmons added to his already lengthy list of defensive highlights at shortstop in the third inning. He made a leaping grab of Josh Harrisons line drive before landing hard on his chest. He also banged his nose and face to the ground, but held onto the ball as Wood expressed astonishment on the mound.TRAINERS ROOM:Pirates: RHP Charlie Morton has been shut down. He hasnt pitched since he felt discomfort in his groin and midsection late in his five innings of work in a victory over Boston on Sept. 16.Braves: LHP Mike Minor has left shoulder inflammation and has been shut down for the remainder of the season. RHP David Hale will take Minors spot in the rotation on Thursday against the Pirates.UP NEXT:Pirates: LHP Jeff Locke (7-5) is scheduled to face the Braves for the first time this season on Wednesday night. Locke received two no-decisions against Atlanta last season.Braves: RHP Julio Teheran (13-13) will try to match his career high with his 14th win. Teheran was 14-8 for Atlanta in 2013. ' ' '